Your one-stop guide to early childhood links and resources!

Welcome to the second issue of ECA WebWatch for 2009. This fortnight our main feature focuses on how to support children dealing with the trauma of the recent bushfires in Victoria.

Also in this issue:

• Early learning state conferences with Prof. Iram Siraj-Blatchford
• National Playgroup Week
• Australian of the Year
• International Day of Children's Broadcasting

Plus:

• ECA calendar
• quality-assured early childhood resources
• ECA GreenWatch.

Sydney and Melbourne residents book now!

Conference with Professor Iram Siraj-Blatchford
Professor Iram Siraj-Blatchford and Professor Collette Tayler present on the theme Frameworks and foundations: When only the best will do.

ECA WebWatch feature item

Children and trauma

Bushfires and their effect on children

Early Childhood Australia has been saddened to learn of the devastating bushfires in Victoria. Our hearts go out to the victims who have lost homes, pets, communities and loved ones. The impact of the bushfires will be felt for many years to come.

Bushfires can be a cause of major trauma to children as well as adults. Research on children who have been directly affected by bushfires shows that some children experience emotional distress for a long time afterwards.

Download the useful bushfires and children fact sheet for information on the effects of bushfires on children, and how to help them cope.

Managing loss and change with children

View a sample chapter of Everyday learning about loss and grief, which provides insightful advice assisting our understanding of what loss means to children, as well as outlining positive strategies to help children cope.

View a sample chapter of Everyday learning about fear and anxieties, which explains how parents and carers can deal with issues such as separation anxiety, changes in routine or fear of imagined creatures.

When there is a tragedy
A useful article to help parents support children through a tragedy.

Free resources about loss and grief from Early Childhood Australia
Links from Early Childhood Australia's Supporting Best Practice web directory, with helpful tips and guidance on how you can support children dealing with trauma.

Australian of the Year

Aboriginal human rights leader, Mick Dodson, named Australian of the Year
Early Childhood Australia would like to extend our congratulations to Mick Dodson, who was named Australian of the Year on 26 January.

Mick Dodson's speech from the 26 May 1997 release of Bringing Them Home has been republished in Remember Me, which commemorates the tenth anniversary of the report, along with excerpts from relevant documents from SNAICC's archives, a values statement and reflections by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner Tom Calma.

The National Apology – one year on

Tom Calma calls for action
Read Tom Calma's media release calling for action as we mark the one-year anniversary of the historic apology to the stolen generation.

New Child Protection Australia 2007–08 report released
The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) has released its latest report on child protection in Australia.

Child Protection Australia 2007–08 reports that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children are still over-represented in the child protection system, with more subject to substantiation and placed in out-of-home care than other Australian children. Download the full Child Protection Australia 2007–08 report.

Events for children

National Playgroup Week 2009
Families with kids under school age, whether they participate in playgroup or not, are invited to take part in fun events to be held in every state and territory. It's a perfect time for parents with babies and children under five to find out about playgroups near them, and to discover what playgroup is about.

International Children's Day of Broadcasting
International Children's Day of Broadcasting is a day when broadcasters around the world 'tune in to kids', by airing quality programming for and about children.

ECA GreenWatch

Clean Up Australia Day
Clean Up Australia Day is a chance for all Australians to help their local environment by collecting and removing rubbish.

What is your carbon footprint?
Find out your carbon footprint (and how you can reduce it!) on Planet Patrol, an environmental website written by kids, containing news, games, facts and more. It even offers other kids a chance to become an 'eco-journalist' and have an article published on the site.

ECA calendar

Beginning Teacher Conferences 2009 – Bundanoon
7–8 March 2009
and
21–22 March 2009
Bundanoon, NSW

Explores issues relevant to beginning teachers, such as employment conditions and teachers' rights.

Positive Solutions in an Age of Rage: Anti-Bullying Conference
12–13 March 2009
Bankstown Sports Club, Sydney

Renowned international leaders and experts explain how behavioural change can build resilience and create role models for society.

Visit Early Childhood Australia's online calendar – it's the easy way to keep track of important events, conferences and dates.

Quality-assured early childhood resources

All of ECA's publications are peer reviewed by early childhood experts, so you can be assured that all our publications are of the highest quality, and relevance to you and your work.

Managing Difficult Times Pack
A set ofbooks to help support children deal with difficult times, such as change, separation and loss.

Helping children in times of need: Grief, loss, separation and divorce
Provides information on how to identify grief reactions in children, further resources for adults and children and where to get professional help.

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ECA WebWatch - Issue 66, February 2009. © Early Childhood Australia.